Introduction
This paper seeks to discuss the reformation and its effect on the development of the arts. The reformation period occurred between the medieval ages and the 17th century. It is estimated that this period experienced religious as well as political developments dating back to the 16th century. It was shaped by a variety of events that affected European way of life, mannerisms and culture. The reformation period encompassed developments in literature, art and science.
Reformation occurred as a result of the disintegration of the Roman Catholic Church into competing denominations. This has been termed by several scholars as a religious reform movement. Martin Luther (a German theologian) is credited to starting the reformation through his criticisms of the Catholic Church regarding its doctrines.
The idea that the Catholic Church teachings were fallacies contributed to a rebellious reaction. However, Luther did not solely contribute to the reformation hence credit should be attributed to others who equally made significant contributions.
Spread of the reformation
The reformation occurred as a result of conflicts between the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bible. This was due to the fact that the views and practices expressed by the Catholic Church were restrictive. The reformation was an attempt to ‘fix’ the Catholic Church because of perceived falsehoods in their teachings.
A major contributor to the spread of reformation was the existence of the printing press that facilitated productions of materials and writings that were in turn circulated. Furthermore, people became more literate and enlightened hence sparking critical thinking and re-evaluation. People acquired different perspectives on knowledge and education hence driving them to challenge authority and not simply accept what they were told without questioning.
Key players in the reformation era
Several people contributed to the reformation era. Most of them were mostly theologians, linguists and scholars. They include the following, just to mention but a few: Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536), Estienne de la Boetie (1530-1563), John Calvin(1509-1564), Martin Luther(1483-1546), Thomas Paynell (1528-1567), Thomas More(1478-1535), Thomas North(1535-1601), Francois Hotman(1524-1590) and Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531).
Effect of reformation on the arts
Differences between the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church were revealed through the kinds of art that each party produced. However, the effect of reformation on art mainly dwelt on secular subjects as it sought to counter what the Catholic Church upheld.
The art designed brought about different themes and ideas that were advanced by radical Christians who felt that the Catholic Church was restrictive. Church reformers like Martin Luther (1483-1546) and John Calvin (1509-1564) played major roles in challenging the inefficiencies of the Catholic Church. This included translating the Bible into vernacular which developed diverse interpretations of biblical texts.
Martin Luther, who was a priest and biblical scholar, contributed to linguistics by writing famous theses. John Calvin was also a theologian who wrote an influential book on Protestantism. Calvins’ proposals became the building blocks of the church. Other writers like Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) made contributions to the field of political philosophy.
Other contributions include translation of various Latin works into English by Thomas Paynell (1528-1567). Francois Hotman (1524-1590) advanced the field of literature and political theory.
He taught in several European universities in the fields of history and literature. Sir Thomas North (1535-1601) contributed to the development and enhancement of the English Language. This was later employed by Shakespeare as a basis for most of his plays and writings. Drama was greatly enriched and people appreciated it as a form of entertainment.
Hans Holbein (1460-1524) was instrumental in design of curios and wood art. He specialized in making carvings and woodcuts which he developed to illustrate concepts from books and what he felt. He is famously known for the Erasmus: ‘In Praise of Folly’. The reformation period is also credited to the development of architecture and music.
Music grew within this period due to the fact that Catholic views on music were receding and lacked a lot in expression hence the development of secular music. Famous composers that emerged during this period include Lassus, Tallis, Bull, Gibbons, Campion, Byrd, Arcadet and many more.
From the above, it is evident that artists sought to imitate and improve classical art. A good example is where paintings were designed to be more realistic. The paintings tended to evade being attached to religious topics, hence implying they were secular. Paintings were used to express individuals’ views and opinions arising from the religious tension. These paintings also reflected a more individualistic faith and personal growth. Architectural designs were also developed, notably the Catholic Church baroque design.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that the reformation brought about a variety of changes not only to religion, but to arts and culture as well. The key players in their various capacities served to enrich art with their contributions that revolutionized and improved the field. Reformation led to the enrichment of literature as well as drama. Music grew as well as paintings and sculptures were developed that contributed to the maturity of the arts.